Senior Executives at Johnson Controls Gain New Global Management Responsibilities
11 November 1997
Senior Executives at Johnson Controls Gain New Global Management Responsibilities
Company's Michigan-based Automotive Systems Group
shifts leadership roles for enhanced customer focus
PLYMOUTH, Mich., Nov. 11 -- Automotive seating and interiors
supplier Johnson Controls has appointed several senior executives
to new positions as it continues to enhance its customer service worldwide.
The changes support the ongoing effort at the company's Automotive Systems
Group to develop world-class, customer-focused business units and to leverage
new business opportunities.
Johnson Controls is the world's largest manufacturer of automotive seating
and interior systems.
Rande Somma has been promoted to president, Interior Trim, Marketing and
Business Development. He has been serving as vice president and general
manager of Sales, Marketing and Business Development, and vice president and
general manager of Johnson Controls' Honda Business Unit.
Somma will direct Johnson Controls' current interior operations and lead
the expansion of the company's interior systems business throughout the world.
In addition, he will continue to lead Johnson Controls' marketing and business
development activities, and manage the Honda Business Unit. Somma also will
head up the company's operations in Japan.
Brian Koop has been named vice president and general manager, Interior
Trim. He is based at Prince, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Controls
located in Holland, Michigan. Koop reports to Somma.
Mike Johnston has been named president, North America Automotive Group. He
previously managed Johnson Controls' interior systems and battery businesses,
as well as its product development activities.
In his new role, Johnston will direct the automotive operations for
Johnson Controls business units that serve Chrysler, Ford, General
Motors/Opel, and Toyota. In addition, he will manage worldwide purchasing and
product engineering, as well as the company's operations in Mexico. Johnston
also retains responsibility for Johnson Controls' battery business.
John Fiori assumes the role of president, Europe and Emerging Markets
Automotive Group. He previously was president for European and Asian
operations.
Fiori will manage automotive operations for the Johnson Controls business
units that serve BMW, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, PSA, Renault, Rover and
Volkswagen. In addition, he will lead the company's operations in Asia and
South America.
James Pell has been named group vice president and general manager of
Component Operations - Worldwide. He is responsible for managing the company's
seat trim, foam, structures and mechanisms operations around the world. Pell
previously served in senior management positions at Johnson Controls. He is
returning to Johnson Controls after serving for the past year as president of
Schmalbach-Lubeca in Manchester, Michigan.
"Expanding the roles of our senior managers will help us deliver on our
commitment to customers to be the world's premier supplier for innovative
vehicle interiors," said John Barth, executive vice president for Johnson
Controls.
Johnson Controls, Inc., with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a
global market leader in automotive systems and building controls. Through its
Automotive System Group, it designs and produces seating and interior systems
for automakers worldwide, and batteries for the original equipment and
replacement markets. The Controls Group serves the non-residential buildings
market with controls systems and services, and integrated facility management.
Founded in 1885, Johnson Controls operates in more than 500 locations around
the world. Johnson Controls securities are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) with the trading symbol "JCI."
The Plymouth, Michigan-based Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls
is the world's largest supplier of vehicle seating and interior systems, and
is a major supplier of batteries. In 1997, the company's worldwide operations
will supply interior products for more than 20 million vehicles. The
Automotive Systems Group employs more than 45,000 people at 157 facilities
worldwide and achieved $8 billion in sales for the 1997 fiscal year. During
the same period, Johnson Controls, Inc. (all divisions) recorded sales of
$11.1 billion.
SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.
/CONTACT: Jeff Steiner of Johnson Controls, 313-454-5932/
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/Web site: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/